Police ask people not to share video of fatal dog attack

The Gardaí (Irish police) are urging people not to share a video of a woman being attacked and killed by a dog in the Republic of Ireland.

Nicole Morey, 23, was treated by paramedics but died at the scene, Gardaí said.

The attack occurred at around 11.40pm BST on Tuesday in Ballyneety, County Limerick.

A Garda spokesman said officers from an armed support unit dispatched to the scene encountered a number of aggressive dogs.

In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the Garda said they were “aware that footage of this incident is currently circulating.”

“Out of respect for the deceased, her family and all her loved ones, we ask that you please post this footage on social media and/or messaging apps and, if you receive it, please do not share it,” it continued.

Gardaí later said an autopsy had been carried out but the results would not be released “for operational reasons”.

A dog was killed after the attack. Irish broadcaster RTÉ said it was probably an XL bully.

On Thursday evening, Gardaí confirmed that three other confiscated dogs had also been killed.

They said all four dogs were of “a restricted breed.”

“Shock wave”

Irish Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys said she was “absolutely horrified” by the woman’s death and sent her condolences to her family.

She said further action was needed on dog control and that she had set up a cross-government pressure group, chaired by retired Assistant Garda Commissioner John Twomey, to look into the issue.

“I have asked the group to review the list of restricted breeds in line with the measures taken in Great Britain and Northern Ireland,” she said in a statement.

“I am committed to working with colleagues across all areas of government to take all necessary action to strengthen our dog control laws.”

What is an XL Bully?

An XL Bully is the largest type of American Bully dog.

According to guidelines from the UK Department for Environment, Food and Agriculture, the breed is a variant of the larger American Bully.

They are described as large dogs “with a muscular body and square head, suggesting great strength and power for (their) size.”

The ownership of XL Bullies is subject to strict controls in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Which dogs are banned in Ireland?

No breed of dog is banned in the Republic of Ireland.

However, restrictions apply to some dog breeds, including German Shepherds and Rottweilers.

In March, Northern Ireland’s Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir announced that the breeding and sale of XL Bullies would be banned in Northern Ireland.

Owners must obtain a special permit for their XL Bully and the dogs must wear a muzzle and be kept on a leash in public.

Following a series of attacks across the UK, ownership of this breed is subject to strict controls in England, Scotland and Wales.

Call for a ban on XL bully dogs in Ireland

Speaking to BBC News NI, James Madden, who is also a veterinarian and a member of the working group looking into dog control measures in the Republic of Ireland, argued for a ban similar to that currently in place in the UK.

“It is their potential for injury that makes these dogs so dangerous. They are incredibly strong and can cause serious damage with the power of their jaws,” he said.

“We are seeing more and more XL Bullies in the Republic because sales and breeding are not restricted here and more and more people want them, so there is a market here.”

Mr Madden also works on training dog catchers and said he is hearing more and more reports of aggressive XL bullies attacking people.